Worldwide terrorist attacks and natural disasters have vividly
demonstrated the need for plans to be in place to deal with
emergencies. These plans help agencies and emergency services
react efficiently.
Planning and training for emergencies do have a cost, but the cost
in lives and to the economy would be higher without them.
Here in Forest Heath, and indeed Suffolk, it's easy to think of
ourselves as away from danger zones, but planning how to deal with
emergencies, and how to help our communities in the aftermath, is
still vital.
We may be called upon to help other authorities in a major
emergency and we need to be prepared to cope with situations such
as bad weather, prolonged power loss in cold spells, evacuations
from fires or similar incidents, or disruptions to transport
networks.
The fire that swept through part of the Center Parcs complex at
Elveden in April 2002 caused devastation. Fire fighting
continued for two days. The recovery phase ended with the
complex reopening in July 2003. The estimated cost
of the damage was in excess of £45 million.
This site will help you to be prepared and reinforce the need for
resilience - the ability of communities and businesses to bounce
back and keep going after a shock. The Government calls this
'Disruptive Challenge’.
For further information, email your local
Emergency Planning Officer or telephone 01638
719321 / 01284 758460.
In an emergency, contact the Joint Emergency Planning Unit
Duty Officer, via Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Control -
telephone 01473 260588.
Further information on the need for emergency
planning is available on the
Suffolk
Resilience website.
Disclaimer:
Whilst every effort is made to maintain the web links on the
following pages, these do change from time to time. If you
experience any difficulties please e-mail the Emergency Planning
Officer (see link
above).